Warehouse Equipment Checklist for New Facilities

Setting up a new warehouse? Before you start moving inventory in, make sure you have the equipment to actually move it.

From pallet jacks and platform carts to ladders, hand trucks, packaging equipment, and safety gear, every part of the operation needs the right tools. This warehouse equipment checklist breaks down what a new facility should have, what each item is used for, and what to consider before you buy.

Why Do New Warehouses Need the Right Equipment From Day One?

A warehouse does not run on storage space alone. Your team needs the right warehouse material handling equipment to move products, prepare shipments, access stored inventory, and keep everyday work moving.

Buying too much equipment creates unnecessary expense. Buying too little creates workarounds that slow the team down.

A better starting point is to look at the main jobs your warehouse will handle:

Your warehouse equipment list should be built around these daily tasks rather than simply buying whatever equipment is commonly found in a warehouse.

For a broader explanation of how material handling works, see our guide to the basics of material handling.

Warehouse Equipment Checklist 

Below is a complete warehouse equipment list organised by function. Every category here should be confirmed before operations begin.

1. Pallet Jacks

If your facility receives or ships palletized goods, pallet jacks are one of the first pieces of material handling equipment to consider.

They let workers move palletized loads across the warehouse without needing powered equipment for every movement.

Consider:

• Manual pallet jacks for straightforward pallet movement
• Pallet jacks with built in scales when weighing is part of the workflow
• Electric pallet jacks when powered movement makes sense for the operation
• Fork dimensions and capacity based on the pallets and loads you handle

5Seconds offers manual, scale equipped, and electric pallet jack options across its pallet jack collection.

2. Platform Carts

Platform carts are useful for moving boxes, supplies, equipment, and other materials across warehouse floors.

When choosing one, look at:

• Deck size: 48" × 24" for tighter aisles, 60" × 30" for general warehouse use, or 72" × 36" for oversized or long materials
• Load capacity: Match the cart to the weight you regularly move
• Wheel size: Consider the floor surface and how the cart will be used
• Locking wheels: Useful where the cart needs to stay securely in place
• Floor space: Make sure the cart can maneuver comfortably through your aisles

Heavy duty and diamond plate configurations are available for industrial environments. See the full platform cart range for options by size and capacity.

3. Hand Trucks and Dollies

Not every load needs a pallet jack or full platform cart.

A hand truck can be the simpler option for moving individual boxes, equipment, or smaller loads. The right choice depends on the load size, weight, and how it needs to be moved.

For example, 5Seconds carries a three wheel industrial hand truck rated for 330 lbs.

Check before buying:

• Maximum load
• Wheel configuration
• Load shape
• Available floor space
• How often the equipment will be used

4. Warehouse Ladders and Step Ladders

Warehouse ladders are needed from the first day of setup. Stocking upper shelves, accessing overhead storage, performing facility maintenance, and retrieving items from height all require stable, rated ladder access.

• Step ladders for lower-level shelf access and general use
• Folding ladders for easy storage when not in use
• Confirm weight rating matches the heaviest user plus equipment being carried

The folding ladder collection covers options suited to warehouse and industrial environments.

5. Stretch Wrap and Load Protection 

Once products are ready to move or ship, they need protection that keeps them secure through handling and transport.

Stretch wrap helps hold loads together, while edge protectors add protection around pallet and package corners.

When choosing them, consider:

• Stretch wrap: 20" × 1,000 ft at 400% stretch for standard applications
• Higher stretch: 18" × 1,500 ft at 800% stretch for greater coverage per roll
• Color: Clear or black options depending on the application
• Edge protectors: 24", 47", or 71" lengths to suit different pallet sizes and load heights

5Seconds carries stretch wrap and cardboard edge protectors as part of its packaging range.

6. Strapping Machines and Strapping Rolls 

For cartons and bundled loads that need tighter, consistent securing, strapping equipment becomes part of the shipping setup.

The two parts work together:

• Strapping machine: The semi automatic electric machine handles the strapping cycle for faster, more consistent packaging
• Strapping rolls: Machine grade polypropylene strap is available in 3/8" × 0.035" and 7/16" × 0.02" options
• Break strength: Both available rolls are rated at 600 lbs
• Volume: A machine becomes more useful as the number of packages requiring strapping increases

5Seconds currently offers a semi automatic strapping machine and compatible polypropylene strapping rolls.

7. Warehouse Shelving and Storage Equipment

Storage equipment deserves attention before the warehouse starts filling up.

The right shelving or storage setup depends on your inventory, available space, load requirements, and how frequently products need to be accessed.

Before ordering, consider:

• What you are storing
• How much inventory you expect
• Product dimensions
• How often items are picked
• Available floor and vertical space

This is also where your storage plan needs to work with your material handling equipment. A cart or pallet jack that cannot move comfortably through the planned layout will create problems later.

8. Warehouse Safety Equipment

Safety equipment is not optional and should not be the last category addressed. Wall guards, ceiling tile protection, and work gloves are the most overlooked items in new facility setups.

• Wall guards — protect walls and columns from equipment and load damage
• Ceiling tiles — maintain facility condition and regulatory compliance in covered areas
• Work gloves — required PPE across receiving, picking, packing, and any load-handling task
• Floor marking tape and safety signage for aisle demarcation
• Protective bollards for dock and rack-end protection

The goal is simple: account for the people, products, equipment, and facility itself when planning your warehouse equipment list.  

How to Choose Warehouse Equipment for a New Facility

The warehouse equipment checklist above covers categories. Choosing the right specific products within each category requires answering four questions:

• What is the heaviest load the facility will regularly handle? This sets the minimum capacity rating for pallet jacks, platform carts, and shelving
• What are the aisle widths? Cart and pallet jack width must fit the narrowest aisle with clearance on both sides
• What is the daily outbound volume? This drives the decision between manual and semi automatic strapping, and between hand wrap and machine wrap
• What floor surface is in use? Epoxy, sealed concrete, and polished floors require non-marking PU wheels on all wheeled equipment 

For more guidance on matching equipment to facility size and workflow, the guide to choosing the right material handling equipment covers the selection process in detail.

Warehouse Equipment Comparison Checklist

Use this table as a quick reference for each category in the warehouse material handling equipment list. 

 

For guidance on keeping all equipment in working condition once operations begin, the warehouse equipment maintenance guide covers the service intervals and checks that extend equipment life across every category.

FAQ

1. What equipment does a new warehouse need?

Most new warehouses should consider equipment for moving, storing, accessing, packing, and protecting goods. This may include pallet jacks, carts, hand trucks, ladders, stretch wrap, strapping equipment, and basic protective equipment.

2. What is the most important warehouse material handling equipment?

For a warehouse handling palletized goods, pallet jacks are often one of the first pieces to consider. The right equipment ultimately depends on your products, loads, layout, and workflow.

3. How do I create a warehouse equipment checklist?

List your main warehouse tasks first. Then identify what equipment each task requires, check load requirements and facility constraints, and separate essential equipment from items that can be added later.

4. What equipment is needed for warehouse receiving?

Receiving commonly involves equipment for unloading and moving incoming goods. Pallet jacks, platform carts, and hand trucks can all play a role depending on how products arrive and how they move into storage.

What equipment is needed for warehouse shipping?

Shipping may require pallet jacks or carts for moving orders, plus stretch wrap, strapping, and edge protectors for preparing loads. Higher volume operations may also benefit from strapping machines.